The Christmas Conflict

Chapter 5: Making Up and Making Out

There's still no sign of Nini, so Ricky decides to message her one more time.

[Text Messages]

"Nini...are you coming? I'm sorry please, I just want to explain to you. I wasn't cheating on you. Gina was helping me decide what to get you for Christmas. I hope you can forgive me."

After he sends the text, he waits a few minutes. No response. Ricky has lost all hope and slowly, tears stream down his face. As he is sitting there crying, he hears a familiar voice behind him.

"Bowen!", the voice says.

Ricky turns around to see Nini standing there with a huge smile on her face. In that moment Ricky jumps up and just stands there smiling at her.

"I read your text!", the girl shouts, "Did she at least give you a good idea?" She giggles.

"Yup...sure did.", Ricky shouts back.

Nini runs up to Ricky and wraps her arms around his neck, while his are around her waist. She lets go for a second and looks up at him, and he looks down at her. Then, they both lean into a kiss...just as the sun starts to set and a beautiful array of colors paint the sky. As they're hugging and kissing, tears start to fall from Nini's eyes and Ricky looks at her. He takes his thumb and wipes them away as she's just looking up at him.

"Hey hey...baby...what's the matter?"

"Ricky...I-...I'm so sorry. I-..." Nini stutters while trying to explain.

"Hey. Look at me Neens. None of this is your fault, okay? It's all on me. I shouldn't have done any of that. And I promise you baby...I am never doing anything to hurt you again."

Ricky continues to wipe her tears and she nods. Ricky brings her down to the picnic date setup. Nini stops in awe. She sees a blanket on the sand, candles lit, her favorite foods laid out, two jewelry boxes, and then she saw her favorite tall, curly, and messy haired boy standing right next to it all, with a smile on his face.

"Ricky...oh my gosh. This...this is incredible. You didn't have to do this." Nini says astounded.

"Uh...yes I did Neens. Now...come on down here and let's enjoy the sunset." Ricky replies, smiling.

"Baby...I'm gonna get sand in my tennis shoes." She says as she looks down onto the beach.

Ricky asks, "Is this your way of telling me to come carry you down here onto the blanket?"

Nini smiles, which meant yes. So, Ricky walked back up onto the sidewalk and carried her in his arms down onto the blanket. They both sat down and were just staring at each other for a moment. Then, Ricky gave her the food he brought. They ate together and watched the sunset. Then it came time for the two jewelry boxes.

"Okay Neens...these two things are for you...", He says while giving her the velvet covered boxes.

Nini opens the first one to see a heart necklace with a picture of Nini and Ricky on it.

"Ricky...this is beautiful. I love it. Can you put it on me?"

Ricky takes the necklace and Nini pulls her hair out of the way. She turns, so her back is facing Ricky's front. He clasps the necklace together and then wraps his hands around her back, giving her another hug. Nini holds his hands in front of her and leans back on his chest, still hugging.

She grabs the next box. When she opens it, it's a ring with "N+R" engraved onto it.

Ricky is looking at her while she's staring at the ring.

"I'll always be yours baby...and look" He pulls a necklace out from under his shirt, and it has the same picture as Nini's necklace.

"So, we'll always be with each other...and...", Ricky shows Nini the ring he's wearing and it also has "N+R" engraved onto it.

Nini smiles and then leans into another kiss. By now, it's dark out and they're still sitting on the beach, giggling and laughing. Nini smiles and yawns.

"You ready to head home?" Ricky asks.

Nini nods her head.

"Wanna come back to my apartment with me? My dad left today on a road trip. So, you can crash with me for a couple nights if you want to and if it's okay with your moms?"

"Ha my moms are out of town too! They won't care if I crash with you for a couple days. Sooo, let's gooooo!", Nini says while jumping up and running to the parking lot.

Nini was wearing dark clothing, so it was hard to see her. Ricky doesn't like when she isn't around him at this time of night. He likes knowing she's safe and as her boyfriend he feels that it's his responsibility to protect her. So, he packs everything up quickly and starts running after her. They're both giggling and laughing.

Then Ricky shouts, "AY! MISS BOWEN! WAIT UP CRAZY! YOU HAVE SO MUCH ENERGY NOW...YOU DEFINITLY HAD TOO MUCH SUGAR!"

Nini stops and turns around smirking at Ricky.

"Miss Bowen, eh? That's a new one.... I love it."

Then she turns around and starts running to the car again while Ricky's still chasing her. They hop in the car and then Ricky drives them back to his apartment.

[Background]

Nini took a taxi to the beach, so she didn't have a car to take home, which is why she was able to ride home with Ricky.

{In the apartment}

Ricky put everything away from the picnic date and then they rush up to his room. While Ricky's getting ready for bed in the bathroom, Nini walks in wearing one of his hoodies.

"Ah...your favorite hoodie of mine.", He laughs.

After some time, they are ready for bed. They both lay together in Ricky's bed, Nini's head on his chest. They watch their favorite Christmas movie, since Christmas is in a couple days.

[Halfway through the movie]

Nini falls asleep on Ricky, and he whispers, "Goodnight princess...I love you", kisses her forehead, and then pulls the blanket up over her.

{Fast forward a couple days: Christmas Morning}

Nini walks downstairs to see Ricky cooking pancakes and singing along to Christmas songs playing from the TV. Nini stares at him for a moment, just admiring him, and then he notices her, and she comes down.

"Well good morning and Merry Christmas, Miss Bowen.", he says as he puts a plate of Christmas shaped pancakes in front of Nini, with a huge smile on his face.

"Merry Christmas crazy...I'm glad I get to spend it with you.", she says giggling.

They smile at each other. Then Ricky walks around the kitchen island to where Nini is sitting and gives her a giant hug and kiss.

They spend the rest of the Christmas Day together. Happy. In love. And forgetting... all about their entire Christmas Conflict...

THE END 

Thank you for reading my story! More coming soon. Make sure you vote please! :)

Things you might be wondering:

1) Ricky scratched out Gina's movie night plan because he didn't want to remember anything about that night. He and Nini went out on the town for the day and then went to a Christmas Party at Ashlyn's with everybody. Gina was there but  neither Nini and Ricky talked to Gina. :)

2) Yes they did go to the beach during winter time. Yes it was cold. No it wasn't snowing. :)